George Balanchine

George Balanchine (1904-83), born Georgi Melitonovich Balanchivadze, was a Russian born US ballet dancer and choreographer. He was chief choreographer of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in the 1920s. He co-founded a company in 1934, that later became famous by the name New York City Ballet. His famous ballets include 'The Firebird' (1949) and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1962).